Tired of Snowdon and the Glyders? We take you on an out and back linear romp along one of North Wales's less crowded alternatives to the Oscar-winning classic peaks.
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Llanuwchllyn > Moel Ddu >
Aran Fawddwy > Llanuwchllyn
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Distance: 10 miles
(16km)
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Height Gain: 960 ft
(1100m)
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Overview: A fine out and back walk in
superb mountain country with great views. A good alternative
to the crowded honeypots of Snowdonia...
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Maps: Ordnance Survey: OL 23 / LR
124
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 3
Technicality: 1
Photogenic Grade: 2
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Start Point: SH
880 297
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It's all too easy to get caught up in the classic walks of North
Wales, so here's something a little different in the Arans. A great
out and back linear walk in superb mountain country with breathtaking
views. A good alternative to the crowded honeypots of Snowdon, The
Glyders and the Carneddau. Although the return is along the same
route as the outward leg the views are surprisingly different in
each direction.
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The Aran Ridge under full
snow cover by Marcus Crompton
Full-sized
version from the OM
gallery
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Section 1 - Llanuwchllyn to Aran Benllyn
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Distance: 3.75 miles
(6km)
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Height Gain: 2377ft
(724m)
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The route starts from the car park in
LLanuwchllyn at the
southern end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala). For those reliant on public
transport you can use the Bala Lake Railway, starting from Pandy
Station just a short walk from the car park.
From the car park head south on an obvious wide track with cattle
grids. After 100ft of ascent a main path cuts in from your right and
the track continues to rise. Just past the path down to Garth Isaf
leave the track and turn right onto the main concessionary Aran
Ridge path.
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View of the Rhinogs from
the ridge by Marcus Crompton
Full-sized
version from the OM
gallery
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The path climbs slowly to cross a wall ahead, then follows a wall on
your left to cross another wall onto open moorland. As the path
starts to drop towards Cefn-gwyn take a left turn and head for the
centre of the wall running left to right in front of you. Once across
this wall you have a guide of a wall on your right for most of the
ascent to Aran Benllyn.
The next major point is the cairn on top of Moel Ddu, where
you join the main ridge. Beyond Moel Ddu the path crosses to the
other side of the wall as you approach Craig y Llyn and the steep
drop to Llyn Lliwbran. The path continues up the final stretch to the
summit of Aran Benllyn where you can make poor jokes about
cough mixture if you choose.
Section 2 - Aran Benllyn to Aran Fawddwy
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Distance: 1.25 miles
(2km)
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Height Gain: 360ft
(110m)
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After a well-earned rest at
Aran Benllyn start the
descent to the col between Aran Benllyn and Erw y Ddafad ddu. You now
need to cross the wall that runs along the ridge to take in the
summit of
Erw y Ddafad ddu, the lowest of the three Aran Ridge
summits.
Either recross the wall to rejoin the main path, or pick your way
carefully along between wall and cliffs to continue up the last 100ft
climb to
Aran Fawddwy - above. The summit is marked by a trig
point and a superb view west to the Mawddach Estuary and east across
the Berwyns.
Section 3 - Aran Fawddwy to Llanuwchllyn
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Distance: 5 miles (8km)
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Height Gain: 355ft
(108m)
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The normal return route is to retrace your steps along the
ridge, though there is the option of dropping down to the west into
Cwn y Dolau to follow a series of paths running alongside the
A494.
Despite the return being along familiar ground, it's surprising
how different the ridge itself, and the surrounding views, look from
a different direction on the gentle descent back to your start
point.
